Daily Archives: January 8, 2019

This is a special prayer request and a beautiful story that began with a terrible loss by a grieving Mother after the death of her Son in Vietnam. It is a short story that I know you will all want to read and perhaps reach out to Mrs. Emogene Cupp, American Gold Star Mothers. You will see the details as you read just a little further. A side story that is also inspiring and beautiful in itself, is that of ” A Band Of Brothers ” (and Duster Buddies) NDQSA, and what they have done. This was brought to my attention by a good Friend, Al Hansen ( a Duster Buddy ), Member of the Retreat Team and Prayer Group. I had heard of American Gold Star Mothers but was not aware of who and what they were. Please google them when you have a moment.

I will be sending Mrs. Cupp, a Birthday Card, she has honored all Veterans. Please read the following.

Thank you. God Bless.

Colon, Philip J. (MC1962)

—–Original Message—–

From: alhansenSubject: Fwd: Gold Star Mothers Birthday

All,

Joe and my DUSTER BUDDIES have been very supportive of Gold Star Mothers over the years. As a result of a Gold Star Mother mentioning to Joe that she and other Gold Star Mothers had often talked about visiting areas in Viet Nam where their sons had fought.

As a result, NDQSA, our band of brothers, set up and funded a program that facilitated quite a number of Gold Star Mother trips to Viet Nam – I believe seven. NDQSA created a program funded by our membership that covered all transportation, lodging and meals for any Gold Star Mother and a companion who expressed an interest in going. Members of our association and their wives, at their own expense, also volunteered to escort our guest Gold Star Mothers.

Over the last few years OUR MOTHERS, due to advanced age, have difficulty in traveling. Never the less, they are still in our hearts.

Please help us out by saluting Mother Emogene Cupp’s 99th Birthday!

We would appreciate if you would be so kind as to send Mother Imogene a card, as well as pass this message on.

An American Gold Star Mother and a very personal friend of mineand all veterans will be celebrating her 99th birthday on January 20th.

Please mail her a birthday card.

Emogene Cupp is the oldest past president of the American Gold Star Mothers. She was the Gold Star Mother who appeared before congress and persuaded them to approve and pass the bill for the construction of the Vietnam Memorial WALL. Her son, Cpl. Robert W. Cupp, was killed by a booby trap in Vietnam. He was laid to rest on his 21st birthday, June 17, in his family’s plot in Alexandria, Va. Her Daughter Sue sent me the following email.

Mom will turn 99 years old on January 20th and due to her failing health, I do not plan to give her a birthday party. I thought I would give her a “Card Party”. She loves to receive cards and I know it would make her happy to receive a birthday card from all of you. Please feel free to pass this info to anyone you think would like to help her celebrate her 99th birthday by sending her a birthday card.

Below is an obituary for Frank Finnerty Esq from theClass of 1954. Frank was a good friend and a well respected attorney. He servedfor may years as Chief Counsel for the Grievance Committee for the TenthJudicial District which overseas the Conduct of Attorney’s in Nassau andSuffolk Counties.

Commander John J. Flynn, age 83, of Newport and Coronado, California died Saturday, January 5, 2019, at St. Clare Home in Newport with his wife and niece by his side.

Born in Newport, October 15, 1935, to the late John J. Flynn and the late Dorothy E. Fleming. He was the husband of Commander Mary Taylor Flynn, Nurse Corps, USN (ret). In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his beloved brother, Lieutenant General William S. Flynn, USA (ret).Known in Newport as Jay, he graduated from De LaSalle Academy in 1952 and graduated from Manhattan College in 1956. After completing Navy Officer Candidate School, he was commissioned an Ensign in the Navy. After a stint aboard the USS Abbott he attended the Submarine School in New London, Connecticut and served in three submarines while in the Submarine Service.

He later served in the amphibious forces and was executive officer of USS Denver and Commanding Officer of the USS Mobile. During the 1975 evacuation of Saigon, Vietnam a journalist from the New York Times who with 32 other newsmen evacuated to the Mobile, said of the captain of Mobile “Cmdr. J. Flynn of Newport, RI had a lean jaw, steel blue eyes and a quiet confidence and the Mobile was well prepared to do its unlikely job of picking up Vietnamese refugees.”

His final tour of duty was at the Pentagon and he retired in 1976. During his career he was awarded the Bronze Star with combat “V”, the Combat action and Navy Unit Commendation ribbons plus other service and campaign medals. After retirement, he was employed by several companies in positions of Naval analysis. He ended his bachelorhood in 1979 when he and Mary married. He happily accompanied her on assignments to Naples, Italy, San Diego, California and Washington, DC. Upon her retirement they spent the summer in Newport and the winter in Coronado. He called it the best “set up ever”.

Jay loved the water. He was an accomplished sailor be it under a sail or with a good engine powering him along. He was a long time member of the New York Yacht Club and the Coronado Yacht Club. A nephew said of him “Jay was a larger-than-life guy – possessed of a keen intellect, a boisterous sense of humor, 1000-watt smile, a booming laugh, and if he couldn’t remember your name it was ‘Hey, Pal!’

He is survived by his wife, Mary; sister-in-law, Lynn Egan Flynn; five adoring nieces: Erin E. Flynn of Newport, Chyleene Flynn O’Connor and husband Jack of Middletown, Keely Flynn Connery and husband Paul of West Hartford, CT; Deirdre Flynn Shope and husband Tim of Pittsburgh, PA and Tara M. Flynn of Middletown. Also, Mary’s sisters; Nancy Taylor Dudley and her husband Edwin of Jonesboro, Arkansas and Sarah Taylor Nichols and her husband Randy of Isola, Mississippi. He leaves many younger nieces and nephews and a host of friends across the country.

He has left on his final patrol.

Calling hours will be held Friday, January 11, 2019 from 4-7 pm in the O’Neill-Hayes Funeral Home, 465 Spring Street, Newport. A Memorial Mass will be held in the Spring.

La Blanc, Robert E. of Manhattan, died peacefully at home on Saturday January 5th, at age 84.

“Big Bob” was truly a giant presence. He earned great success and respect in business yet was proudest of his work with scholarship funds for high school and college students through foundations set up in his daughter’s memory

Bob was born and raised in Forest Hills, attended LaSalle Military Academy in Oakdale, and graduated from Manhattan College with a BS in Electrical Engineering. Manhattan College remained important in his life as he served for many years as a trustee, eventually being granted an honorary doctorate. Bob served in the Air Force in Newfoundland. He received an MBA from NYU. Bob is survived by Betty, his wife of 56 years, and four children, Elizabeth, Robert Jr, Paul and Michelle and seven grandchildren. He was predeceased by his daughter, Jeannie.

Bob spent his career in communications and finance, starting at Bell Labs, becoming a partner at Salomon Brothers, then Vice-President of Continental Telephone, before founding his own telecommunications consulting firm, Robert E. La Blanc Associates. He served as a Director of many public companies and philanthropic organizations such as the Scholarship Fund for Inner City Children and Ronald McDonald House.

Bob loved music and singing in choirs. He was a voracious reader and had a particular interest in Civil War and WWII history.

Even in the midst of debilitating illness, he was still Bob – smiling and singing and asking what he could do for you. He was, above all, the greatest husband, father, grandfather and friend anyone could be lucky enough to have.

The wake will be held at Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel at 1076 Madison Ave 980 Park Ave. at 10 AM on Wednesday.

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La Blanc, Robert E. [MC1956 RIP]

Guestbook: Same link

# – # – # – # – # 2019-Jan-08 @ 13:42

Good Evening All,

Lou Calvelli shared the sad news of the Passing of Fellow Jasper and Manhattan College Member Emeritus of the Board of Trustees, Robert E. LaBlanc. Bob was called home on January 5, 2019. On October 9, 2018, we were asked for our prayers for this good man as he was struggling with Parkinson’s Disease. As he enters the Kingdom of Heaven and is at peace in God’s Eternal Embrace we pray for the repose of his soul. We pray for his Wife, Elizabeth, their Children, Elizabeth, Robert, Jean-Marie (deceased), Paul, Michelle and their Family as the Family mourn the loss of their loved one. Bob as a Member of the Board of Trustees, served with dedication and a strong commitment. He was a proud Jasper, a great Friend and ardent supporter of Manhattan College. Some of us knew Bob from his time on the Board of Trustees. We remember him for his pleasant smile and his willingness to listen. He will be missed by all who knew him.